Weekly News
Vol. 10-No. 18 Friday, May 6, 2016
Karen Bowman, Editor, secretary@yorkfirst.org
Our Vision Statement: “To become a community of committed Christians who Love God, Share Christ, and Serve the World”
Our Mission Statement: “People dedicated to Spiritual Growth, Loving Relationship, and Sacrificial Service”
SUNDAY, MAY 8 , 2016 ~ HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
– Sanctuary: “What Happens Next ”
– Scripture: Luke 24: 44-53
Thoughts on the Word: This Sunday is a special Sunday because it is Mother’s Day! A day in which we seek to honor all of those ladies in our lives who impact and influence us in so many important ways. We have been talking about Servant Leadership since Easter this year and have covered a number of important characteristics that are part of the Servants heart and life. We have talked about how God calls and strengthens us for the tasks we face as his people. The importance of being Spiritually Centered with Christ Jesus at very core of our being. The importance of really Listening to the voice of God in the many ways we are spoken to by God. Within our spirits as they connect with God’s Spirit, through God’s word, the Bible, through friends and fellow believers, and through nature itself, God’s creation we can hear the voice of our God speaking directly to us. We have also talked about how we witness through the manner of our living the very love and peace of God. This has lead us to think and talk about our mission and expectations and now this week we will be talking about the outcome and the joy that is produces in our lives. All of these characteristics can be seen of course in the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, but we also see them modeled and lived out in the lives of our mothers. So this week be sure to pray for and thank God for our mothers!
Next: Music Appreciation Sunday, the message will be entitled: “O for a Thousand Tongues” The text is from Acts 2:1-21
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ATTACHMENTS: Calendar of Events, Friends to Remember in Prayer, & Sunday School Schedule
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE – May 1, 2016, 10:30 a.m. Worship Service – 104
COPIES OF this week’s e-news, May calendar, and May Newsline Digest (formerly Mission and Ministry newsletter) are available to be picked up on the table in the narthex and at YorkFirst.org
Copies of the pastor’s sermons will be available on our website at http://yorkfirst.org/sermons/ You may also contact the church office to request a copy.
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Next Friday’s e-news will be sent on Wed., May 11th. So if you have any item to be included, please submit by end of the day Tuesday. ~ Thank you.
The barrel on the narthex table is collecting change for the Disaster Relief Auction…..coins for others in need. Let’s fill the barrel!
OK FOLKS – DO YOU KNOW THERE IS A YARD SALE COMING JUNE 11 HERE AT FIRST CHURCH?
BUT DID YOU KNOW? We have the BEST YARD SALE this side of town? Did you know we have the BEST BAKERS for our goodie table? And did you know shopping in our AIR CONDITIONED fellowship hall is a plus for everyone? SO BRING IN THE HOME GOODS! Kathy Kovacs and Jeanette Brickner are both looking for work. They stand in the garage each week looking very sad as you pass by each day with nothing in the trunk of your car to contribute. Please bring tissues to wipe the tears from their eyes as you pass by, OR better yet, bring them many valuable treasures from your garage or attic that you no longer use or want…and this will make them very happy! Please don’t forget we will have Chicken Corn soup available by the quart to take out (first come-first served) – and food for lunch that day.
PRAYER AND FASTING:
We, as Christians, speak often of prayer, and of studying scripture. But of late, there’s been little discussion of fasting. In the Bible, prayer and fasting are often linked, as when Christ fasted and prayed during his 40 days in the wilderness.
We would like each of you to consider whether a period of fasting might help you draw closer to God in your spiritual walk. There are many ways to do this — fasting from dawn to dusk could be one way; or fasting from one meal, or perhaps abstaining from meat or sweets for a time. The idea is to abstain from something you regularly enjoy, and to fill the space you’ve opened in your life this way, with God.
This is a private thing and a personal decision in the quest to draw closer to God. If this is of interest to you, you can consult Richard Foster’s chapter on fasting in his book, “Celebration of Discipline.” Remember: the idea is to open a space with your fasting, to let more of God in. It is personal and is not spoken aloud. ~ Pat Gibble for Spiritual Enrichment Ministry Team
Andy Murray, 2016 Annual Conference Moderator wrote:
I am often asked: “What are your hopes for Annual Conference?” One of my fondest hopes is that each person who comes will be aware of the importance of what he or she brings to Conference; that each of us will consider that what we will give in Greensboro will be as significant as what we get.
Just a reminder that our briefing for delegates and all interested persons will be held on Sunday, May 15th, 2pm at the Carlisle Church of the Brethren.
Andy has called all who can to make that day a day of prayer and fasting.
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THIS WEEK……………
MAY 7, 2016 – CAMP EDER SPRING FLING RUMMAGE/YARD SALE – Sat., May 7th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm – Huge Rummage Sale featuring clothes, furniture, books, housewares, and much, much more! Free Hayrides, Site/Building Tours, Picnic @ noon (per donation). All proceeds benefit Christian summer camp for kids!
MAY 12, 2016 ~ The OWLS will gather in the Homebuilders Classroom 154 at noon on Thursday May 12. Bring your bag lunch. After we eat we will take a half hour musical tour of the beautiful EPCOTT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL 2016! If you like to hear a “Concert in the Park” with the Boston Pops and enjoy beautiful flowers and interesting topiary figures, then you don’t want to miss this one! Margaret Eck will be providing drinks and dessert. PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME TO THE SIGNUP SHEET IN THE NARTHEX BY SUNDAY MAY 8 so we know how many to prepare for!
MAY 13, 2016 ~ SOUP KITCHEN – PLEASE BRING CASSEROLES TO CHURCH BY 8:30 AM ON FRIDAY.
Sign up in the narthex to make a casserole or to work at the Soup Kitchen on Friday, May 13, 2016 (10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) PLEASE add your name and number of casseroles, to the SIGN UP sheet, so we can let the Soup Kitchen know how many casseroles to expect.
MAY 14, 2016 – 2016 ANNUAL CAMP EDER GOLF OUTING – Sat., May 14th at Briarwood East Golf Course, 4775 West Market St, York, PA 17408, Registration: $ 75. Per person/ $ 300 per-four person team. See bulletin board for more information, the registration form, and the sponsorship form. Contact Kathy Kovacs at 717-309-0678 for additional information or any questions
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BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT:
Lennox Gabriel Jan was born April 26, 2016 to Michael and Amanda Jan. He weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz at birth and was 21 inches in length. The proud grandparents are Pastor Don & Vivian.
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CONDOLENCES:
To the family of Wayne Brant. Wayne passed away on April 23, 2016. Please keep his family in your prayers. A memorial service will be held at the Nicarry Meeting House at Cross Keys Village on Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 2 p.m. at 2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford, PA, with Pastor Linda S. Titzell officiating. A private burial will be held at the Codorus Church of the Brethren Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Community Church at Cross Keys Village, 2990 Carlisle Pike,
New Oxford, PA 17350; The Brethren Home Foundation, 2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford, PA 17350; and/or Heifer International , 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 (www.heifer.org).
To the family of James Godfrey. James passed away on May 2, 2016. Please keep his family in your prayers.
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DIRECTORY CHANGE: P. 12 – Bill & Betty Bernhardt ~ Add email address for Bill: Web9305@gmail.com (Betty Lynne remains: blb63@comcast.net)
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LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . . . .
MAY 16, 2016 – The Mindful Christian – Presented by Blake Colaianne on Monday, May 16th, from 7:00 – 8:00 PM, and will be held here at York First in the sanctuary. After five years of inspiring high school students, Blake will pursue his Master’s Degree (Ed.M.) in Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) at Harvard Graduate School of Education, the first graduate program in the U.S. to focus on the complex connection of biology, neuroscience, cognitive development, and education. He will continue the work he began at Dallastown in mindfulness education, currently one of the top research topics in the field of MBE. Eventually, Blake plans to obtain his Doctorate in Education in order to teach future educators. Please join us for an evening of learning about this new area in education and to wish Blake well as he embarks upon a new adventure in his life.
JUNE 13 & 14, 2016 – 68th Women’s Camp Retreat – Southern PA District COB ~ Monday, June 13th and Tuesday, June 14th. Retreat Leader: Leah Hileman. Registration deadline: Monday, May 16, 2016. See pamphlet and registration form on the bulletin board. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Kovacs at (717) 309-0678
JULY 24-28, 2016 – Vacation Bible School – July 24 – 28, – CAVE QUEST: Following Jesus The Light of the World! Christian Ed has chosen the week of July 24-28, 2016 for VBS. Many volunteers are needed to make this outreach to our community a success. Please contact Nancy Gipe, Vivian Hubbell, Stephanie Stoolmaker, Deb Klinedinst, Carol Gordon or Judy Deitch if you are willing to help in any way. Big brown packing paper and black fabric will be needed for decorations. If you have either of these items, please bring them to church and place them in the office or in the Christian Ed room. Thank you!
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Contacting the Pastor: Pastor Don can be reached most mornings in the church office Monday—Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The pastor reserves afternoons and evenings for visitation, meetings, and other pastoral-related activities. If you need to reach a Pastor Don outside of office hours, please call him at home at 792-4090, or cell phone 818-6266, and leave a message on his home answering machine. He will return your call at his earliest opportunity. If you would specifically like a pastoral visit, please contact the pastor. HIPA laws prevent the hospital from contacting the pastor when you are admitted. You MUST specifically note to hospital staff that you would like the hospital to contact your pastor.
Contacting the Youth Director, Garrett Page: His phone number is (614) 400-9533 or by email at: nykgarrettpage@yahoo.com
